Top 20 Christmas songs for your seasonal mixtape

In early November, the local Starbuck’s by the office started playing a Christmas mix. The net effect of this is that by the time Dec. 25 rolls around I won’t want to hear George Michael’s breathy Last Christmas, Paul McCartney’s revolting saccharine Wonderful Christmas Time or any version of Jingle Bell Rock ever again.

As for Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, it may somehow seem to fit the season, but a moratorium should be declared on that track for at least a few generations. Yes, right down to street buskers.

Before you go calling me Scrooge, let me point out that there are plenty of chestnuts out there that stand the test of time. Repeated listenings of the songs mentioned below not only can be done without fear of loathing, but can even enhance the holiday experience. From novelty to nuanced, these are the kind of Christmas songs you can put together on a mixtape for dinner and get everyone smiling on occasion.

And if they aren’t, at least they will be soon. All of the above can be sourced on most streaming sites or on YouTube. Search them out and put them together in any order you wish.

1: Fairytale of New York (The Pogues with Kirsty MacColl)

Inspiring singalongs since 1988, Jem Finer and Shane MacGowan’s ode to the Bowery and its denizens is a love song to NYC and the season.

2: Cool Yule (Louis Armstrong)

The title says it all. Swinging like mad with lyrics to suit.

3: Merry Christmas Everybody: (Slade)

For some reason, UK rock bands have had a good run with holiday tunes. This one is brilliant and it rocks.

4: I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (Jackson 5)

And Michael lets everyone know with a decidedly cheeky twist on that pure soulsonic voice.

5: The 12 Days of Christmas (Bob and Doug Mackenzie)

Puts the term Cancon in a whole new context. Plus, it’s funny.

6: Little Saint Nick (The Beach Boys)

If Santa was more into hot rodding or surfing than Rudolph and sleighs, this is his theme.

7: If We Make it to December (Merle Haggard)

The late, great country star puts the season into honest focus and it’s not all hopeful.

8: Carol of the Bells (Saint Paul’s Cathedral Choir)

A truly beautiful choral arrangement handled beautifully. It soars.

9: Christmastime in Toronto (Gord Downie)

The late singer of the Hip gets seasonal about the centre of the universe. Canada cares.

10: Frosty the Snowman (Jimmy Durante)

With a voice like this, you could sing someone’s contact list and it would be entertaining.

11: Stop the Cavalry (Jona Lewie)

In 1982, this antiwar song hit #3 in the UK charts in December. It has gone on to become a seasonal classic.

12: The Christmas Hippo Song (Gayla Peevey)

At the age of 10, in 1953, this rising star hit it big with this silly novelty song. It hasn’t worn off.

13: Feliz Navidad (Jose Feliciano)

Puerto Rican singer José Feliciano had a global hit with this 1970 pop hit. From the bottom of my heart to the chart.

14: You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch (Thurl Ravenscroft)

With lyrics by Dr. Seuss and a memorable hook, this song from the 1966 animated special is a gift.

15: Santa Baby (Eartha Kitt)

One of the slinkiest seasonal songs of all time. Mrs. Claus probably hates it.

16: All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth (Spike Jones and His City Slickers)

A ridiculous 1948 joke track that actually proved you can write a winner being inspired by second-graders’ missing teeth.

17: Christmas Card From a Hooker in Minneapolis (Tom Waits)

With a title like that, you even need to ask?

18: Jin Jin Jingle Bell (Nozomi Sasaki featuring Pentaphonic)

There are so many great anime/Jpop Christmas songs, but this one has that extra special madness in the offbeat parts all coming together in the same track.

19: Christmas Rappin’ (Kurtis Blow)

There are loads of excellent hip hop seasonal selections. Most aren’t suitable for family affairs. This one is.

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Top 20 Christmas songs for your seasonal mixtape

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